Surgeons Removed Ear Prosthesis After Vertigo Case
A New York patient suffered from vertigo triggered by swallowing and burping due to a rare inner ear condition.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Stroke
In April 2026, clinicians at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai treated a 54-year-old woman for vertigo caused by a perilymph fistula. The condition emerged six months after she received a partial ossicular replacement prosthesis in her right ear.
Why it matters
The case highlights how mechanical pressure from daily actions like swallowing can inadvertently impact the inner ear balance system through abnormal openings. Recognizing these symptoms is essential for clinicians evaluating patients with persistent vertigo following ear surgery.
A 54-year-old patient developed a perilymph fistula, a condition that occurs in approximately 1% of patients following stapes procedures. Testing confirmed pressure shifts from swallowing reached the inner ear balance system.
The players
New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai
This facility is a specialized hospital in New York City that focuses on the treatment of eye, ear, nose, and throat disorders.
The details
Clinicians diagnosed the fistula after observing involuntary eye movements during a fistula test and videonystagmography study, where air pressure changes in the ear canal triggered symptoms. While the surgical removal of the prosthesis successfully resolved the patient's vestibular issues, she continues to experience conductive hearing loss.
Timeline
August 2025 marked the most recent update to the relevant StatPearls review.
April 22-25, 2026, was when the AAA 2026 convention occurred in San Antonio.
The Big Picture
This case study follows the clinical patterns documented in the StatPearls review of perilymphatic fistulas. It provides a rare look at how specific surgical hardware can create unintended mechanical pathways in the inner ear.
Patients who have undergone ear surgery should monitor for unusual vertigo episodes triggered by pressure changes like swallowing or burping. Consulting with an otolaryngologist if these symptoms arise can lead to necessary diagnostic testing and surgical intervention.
The takeaway
Persistent vertigo after ear surgery should be investigated for mechanical complications involving the inner ear. Early identification of a fistula can prevent long-term balance issues even if some hearing loss persists.
Further reading
For more information on similar neurological and ear-related medical findings, visit the Stroke section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medical Daily.
